Container fastening assembly

ABSTRACT

A connection arrangement for connection of vertically and/or horizontally arranged containers. Each of the containers provides bosses or projections over a collinear pair of which is placed a separate plate. The plate provides matched polygonal apertures to receive the projections. Each of the projections provides an aperture there through to receive a retainer pin or bolt. The pin or bolt abuts the plate when engaged. The arrangement greatly expedites the separation of the containers when desired. The user needs only tap out the retainer pin and pull off the plate. This obviates the use of fasteners which can freeze, rust or become otherwise inoperative or cumbersome.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to fasteners for modular containers/enclosures and more particularly, the present invention relate to a fastening assembly which is expeditiously removed and assembled to allow separation and assembly of the containers by the user without the need to unfasten bolts, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fastening assemblies of a broad variety have been used for some time in connecting modular containers and panels or segments making up the enclosures or containers. Contributory to the problem with the fastening arrangements known is that they are not designed for simplicity of use and with the least number of parts. It is well known that the nut and bolt or other mechanical arrangements are very often overly complex for the purpose of securing containers together. In the bolt system, the user is often faced with rusted connectors which are difficult if not impossible sometimes to disconnect. This often leads to complete destruction of the fastener and potential damage to the container which elevates costs for wasted time, materials and repairs.

As a further problem, the possibility of attempting to remove nuts from bolts etc. in inclement weather such as freezing weather becomes exceedingly difficult considering the clothing the user must wear to stay warm. The result is that the user often must at least remove hand protection to operate a wrench etc., thus introducing the possibility of frostbite or other exposure.

Tattarn, in British Patent No. 1,517,312, teaches an improved container. Unfortunately, it is the container that is formed with individual panels. In this manner, some panels have apertures for receiving bosses with additional connection means. Clearly, the container construction itself relies on the fasteners as opposed to the fastening system being used to connect existing adjacently positioned containers.

The prior art is replete with as many variations of fastening systems, all of which are not designed for user ease.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the invention is to provide an improved fastening assembly for fastening adjacent pre-existing containers.

A further object of one embodiment is to provide a connection assembly for connecting pre-existing similar containers, comprising, in combination:

a first container and a second container in contact;

first cooperating engagement means projecting from each container of the containers, the first cooperating engagement means being in alignment on containers in contact;

second cooperating engagement means adapted for overlying releasable engagement with the first cooperating engagement means, the second cooperating means having a configuration matched in shape to the first cooperating engagement means, the first cooperating engagement means extending beyond the second cooperating engagement means when the second cooperating engagement means overlies the first cooperating engagement means;

third cooperating engagement means integral with the first cooperating engagement means; and

fourth cooperating engagement means adapted for releasable engagement with the third cooperating engagement means and for retaining the second cooperating engagement means when overlying the first cooperating engagement means, whereby when the first cooperating engagement means receives the second cooperating engagement means and the third cooperating engagement means receives the fourth cooperating engagement means, each container is connected and secured against substantial vertical and horizontal separation.

The arrangement has been found to be particularly simple to use in any weather conditions. The first cooperating engagement means in one embodiment comprises a polygonal boss or projection extending outwardly from each adjacently positioned container and may be on a wall thereof.

The second cooperating engagement means comprises, in one embodiment, a plate adapted to overly the bosses between a pair of adjacent containers. The plate is provided with apertures matched in configuration to the bosses. It is preferred that the shape of the bosses and the plate apertures he selected from a polygonal repertoire; circular arrangements do not provide any protection for horizontal and/or vertical movement between adjacent containers. The polygonal shape is advantageous to avoid such potentially hazardous and damaging movement, since matched configuration between the bosses and plate apertures will preclude such movement.

The bosses are horizontally and vertically collinear to allow any plate to be used over any projections.

With respect to the fourth cooperating engagement means, the same may comprise in one possible embodiment, a pin or L bolt which is simply inserted in to the aperture extending through each boss or any other suitable catch which prevents disengagement of the plate from the boss. It is also important that the fourth cooperating engagement means be very easily removed.

The arrangement is particularly convenient, since a user wishing to disconnect connected containers, simply pushes out the pin from each boss and pulls the plate free of the bosses.

A further object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a connection assembly for connecting similar containers, comprising, in combination:

a first container and a second container in contact;

a plurality of projections projecting from each container of the containers arranged in alignment on containers in contact;

a separate plate member adapted for overlying releasable engagement with the projections projecting from each container, the plate having apertures matched in shape to the projections, the projections extending beyond the plate when in overlying relation with the projections;

aperture means extending through the projections; and

retainer means adapted for releasable engagement with the aperture means, whereby when the projections receive the separate plate and the aperture means receives the retainer means, each container is connected and secured against substantial vertical and horizontal separation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container arrangement and fastening assembly according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5A through 5D illustrates alternate embodiments of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is an illustration of yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, shown is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention. Numeral 10 generally refers to the arrangement. Large containers 12 for storage of, for example, water are desirably connected together for modulation at a site.

The overall fastening assembly is referenced by numeral 14 and is more detailed in FIG. 2.

Each container 12 is positioned for contact with an adjacent container 12 at an interface 16. A wall or extension 18 is provided on each container 12 for abutment with a similar component from the adjacent container 12. Each wall 18 includes a plurality of projecting bosses 20 extending outwardly in parallel planar relation from wall 18. The bosses 20 function as a first cooperating engagement. The bosses 20 may be welded to the walls 18. The bosses 20 on an individual container 12 are arranged in collinear equidistant relation and are horizontally aligned when walls 18 are abutted between containers 12. The horizontal distance between bosses 20 of adjacent containers, in this embodiment is the same and this is true of the spacing of bosses on an individual container 12.

With reference to FIG. 3, shown is an enlarged view of the arrangement. The bosses 20, shown in the example as having a rectangular shape, receive, in overlying relation, a second releasable cooperating engagement member 22. The member 22 is shown in the example as a plate. The plate 22 has spaced apart apertures 24 which receive the bosses 20. The boss 20 shape and aperture 24 are configured for cooperation.

Plate 22 may comprise a similar material of which the containers 12 are made, such as steel. The plate 22 is dimensioned to overlie the interface of abutment, referenced by numeral 16, of the adjacent containers 12. The plate is also dimensioned to be of a lesser thickness than the height of the bosses 20. In this manner, the plate 22 can be loosely retained on the bosses 20 in a parallel plane to the walls 18.

In order to further assist in retaining the plate 22 on the bosses 20, a third releasably engageable cooperating means in the form of an aperture 28 (chain line) cooperates with a fourth releasably engageable cooperating means in the form of for example, a pin or L-bolt 30. As is illustrated in the example, the pin 30 is received within the aperture 28. The reception is such that the pin 30 abuts the surface of the plate 22. This relationship ensures that the plate 22 remains snugly against the walls 18. The former relationship is depicted in FIG. 4.

The Figures illustrate the boss 20 shape as a rectangle. This is useful when combined with a keyed or matched configuration in the plate 22 to reduce, if not eliminate, any vertical or horizontal movement of connected containers. Any suitable polygonal shape is envisioned as a possibility. FIGS. 5A through 5D illustrate a number of variations for the plate 22 in terms of the apertures 24 being diamond, square, hexagonal and generally square in shape. The bosses 20 would obviously have a keyed shape for cooperation. In addition, FIGS. 5A through 5D show variations on the shape and disposition of the pins or L bolts 30. The pins or bolts may be inserted into the aperture 28 of the bosses 20 vertically, horizontally or angularly. Further, the pins may be of a varying dimension, i.e. conical, straight, or bent. As a further variation, the plate 22 may comprise any suitable shape variations of which are shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D with a generally dumbbell configuration. Other variations will be appreciated by those skilled.

Referring now to FIG. 6, shown is another alternate embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, two bosses 20, a pair from each container 12, are connected by a modified plate 22′. In this embodiment, two plates are joined by joining members 32, shown in the example to be vertical arms. Any suitable configuration to achieve this end is possible and will be appreciated by those skilled. Further, any number of bosses 20 may be connected.

Referring now to FIG. 7, shown is a further variation of the present invention. In this embodiment, the container 12 is formed of a plurality of individual wall segments 32. Each segment includes the bosses 20 which cooperate with an adjacent segment 32 in a manner similar to that discussed with respect to the previous embodiments. Plate 22 joins the adjacent segments. Conveniently, the intersection of two segments at a corner can be easily accommodated by modifying plate 22 by a right angle bend as shown in the illustration. In situations where the angle required is acute or obtuse, the plate will be modified accordingly.

Of particular benefit is the fact that the bosses are attached to a wall of the containers, with no apertures required in the walls. The bosses are positioned to be in a parallel plane with a respective wall to which they are connected with the plate also being in a parallel relationship with the boss over which it lies.

Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is not limited thereto and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications form part of the present invention insofar as they do not depart from the spirit, nature and scope of the claimed and described invention. 

I claim:
 1. A modular container comprising: a plurality of separate container wall segments adapted for releasable connection with each other to form a container or enclosure, adjacent wall segments abutting each other to form an interface of contact; bosses having a predetermined, height and being fixed on and projecting outwardly from each container wall segment of said container or enclosure, bosses of each wall segment having identical external predetermined configurations and being spaced from and or opposite sides of said interface by a second predetermined distance and being located on an imaginary plane perpendicular to said interface; a removable first plate having a pair of apertures having a dimension for extending between wall segments across said interface in close proximity to abutting wall segments, an aperture of said apertures of said first plate being configured to receive a boss of said bosses, said first plate being configured to cooperate with said predetermined height of said respective bosses, each aperture of said apertures of said first plate having a lengthwise dimension from said interface when said first plate is placed across said interface to enable said respective integral parts to receive said respective bosses, and said wall segments being devoid of other removable plates on said respective bosses having integral parts configured to receive said respective bosses; and boss cooperating engagement structure integral with each of said respective bosses; a cooperating retainer associated with each of said respective bosses when said respective bosses are received by said respective aperture for releasably locking said respective bosses and said wall segments against substantial relative movement, said plate being dimensioned to surround said bosses, each said cooperating retainer when engaged, being within an area bounded by said plate and in a parallel and abutting relationship thereto.
 2. The modular container according to claim 1, wherein said respective bosses cooperating engagement structure comprises a boss aperture extending through said respective bosses, and wherein said respective cooperating retainer comprises a pin configured to extend through said respective boss apertures and being releasably lockable in said respective boss apertures.
 3. The modular container according to claim 1, wherein said wall segments each comprise: an additional pair of bosses each, having said predetermined height, and being fixed on and projecting outwardly from said wall segments at a third predetermined distance from said respective base portions of said wall segments on opposite sides of said interface, said respective additional bosses each having a configuration identical to said predetermined boss configuration, the distance between said additional pair of bosses fixed on and projecting outwardly from each of said wall segments being separated from each other by said second predetermined distance; an additional removable plate identical with said removable first plate for enabling each aperture of said additional removable plate to receive said respective additional pair of bosses, said additional removable plate being configured to cooperate with said predetermined height of said additional pair of bosses, each aperture of said apertures of said additional removable plate having a lengthwise dimension from said interface when said additional removable plate is placed across said interface to enable said apertures to receive said respective bosses of said additional pair of bosses, said wall segments being devoid of other removable plates having apertures configured to receive said respective bosses of said additional pair of bosses; an additional boss cooperating engagement structure integral with each boss of said additional pair of bosses of said respective first and second wall segments; and an additional cooperating retainer associated with each of said additional cooperating boss engagement structure for releasably looking each boss of said additional pair of bosses received by said integral part of said additional removable plate for engaging said respective additional boss cooperating engagement structure for releasably locking each of said additional pair of bosses and said wall segments against substantial relative movement. 